April 26, 2024
  • Demand a new deal in and for Africa
  • Advocate speedy implementation of AFCFTA
  • Call for Increased Investment in Digital Connectivity

United Bank for Africa (UBA) celebrated Africa Day 2020, by bringing together global leaders at the 2nd UBA Africa Day Conversations, screened live across the continent.  UBA helps set the debate around African economic development through its series of “Africa Conversations”.  This year, the focus was on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Covid-19 pandemic.  Leaders emphasised the need for meaningful collaboration between governments and the private sector, as a requirement for the quick recovery of the economy of the African continent post Covid-19.

The panel included the President of Liberia, H.E George Weah; United States Senator Chris Coons; the President & Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export–Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK), Professor Benedict Okey Oramah; President, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer; and was moderated by the Group Chairman, UBA Plc, Tony O. Elumelu.

Other leading voices contributing were the Founder, Africa CEO Forum, Amir Ben Yahmed; the Secretary-General of the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), H.E George Chikoti; Administrator, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Achim Steiner and Donald Kaberuka, the former President of the African Union.

Elumelu spoke on the need to mobilise quickly and explained the necessity to identify a more fundamental solution to Africa’s challenges.  “This is the time for us to deal with the situation, this is not the time for finger pointing, but for collaborative efforts by governments and organisations, to fight the pandemic globally.  There is need to flatten the curve, we need global co-operation to stem global depression.  Africa requires a large stimulus package, and we need long-term solutions to prevent a cycle of debt.”

Liberian President, George Weah, demonstrated how collaboration has assisted his country to stem the sufferings brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.  “In Liberia we have taken measures to ease the financial burden on vulnerable business in the informal sector by providing small loan assistance to SMEs and traders.  In addition, we are working with commercial banks to manage the repayment of loans as well as to create stimulus packages for citizens,” President Weah said.

US, Senator Chris Coons made valuable contributions to the discussions, saying “We must develop a vaccine that is free and affordable and freely distributed so that full economic activities can return.  This is no time to be looking backwards.  We recognise the power of collective collaboration on the continent.”

Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah called for the swift implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and disclosed that Afrexim has made available $200million to supply fertilisers and grains amongst across Africa.   The Afrexim boss asserted “If Africa allows hunger takeover the people, it will see an increase in insecurity, which will take a long time to overcome.”

George Chikoti of ACP, said that the huge task of economic recovery on the continent, rests on both the government and the private sector. “African governments need to accept the support of the Private Sector in alleviating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa.  We have so far been able to release $25m to all member states”, Chikoti added.

Achim Steiner of the UNDP focused on digital connectivity as an enabler of development.  “What we need to look at is to find a way for government as a regulator and also as an investor, to leverage private sector investment into these areas” Steiner said.

Peter Maurer, President, ICRC, said there is the need to look at pandemics as part of a broader health system which needs stabilisation.  “We must do more than life-saving.  This pandemic has illustrated the weakness of health, water, sanitation and social systems, and we have to heavily invest into the stabilisation of these systems,” he said.

Amir Ben Yahmed said the crisis is going to be a super accelerator of already existing trends.  “We have to get away from the commodity driven model which has failed in creating prosperity.  “We need to use this crisis to take Africa to the next level.  We also need to attain self-reliance.  Self-reliance is an important goal,” Yamed said.

The UBA Africa Conversations concluded with the need to act quickly and effectively, highlighting that Africa has lessons to teach the world in containment, but was economically vulnerable.

The United Bank for Africa is a leading pan-African financial institution offering banking services to more than twenty million customers globally. With footprint in 20 African countries and presence globally in the United Kingdom, the USA and France, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

63 thoughts on “Africa Beyond Covid-19: President Weah, US Senator Coons, Elumelu, Other Global Leaders at the 2nd UBA Africa Day Conversations Urge Government, Private Sector Collaboration.”

  1. I simply want to tell you that I am just new to weblog and definitely enjoyed this web-site. Most likely I’m likely to bookmark your website . You surely come with superb stories. Cheers for revealing your website.

    Reply

  11. Hiya! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make
    your site mobile friendly? My website looks weird when viewing from my iphone 4.
    I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able
    to resolve this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share.

    Cheers! asmr 0mniartist

    Reply

  12. I was curious if you ever considered changing the layout of your website?
    Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way
    of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one
    or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
    asmr 0mniartist

    Reply

  17. I don’t know if it’s just me or if everyone else encountering issues with
    your website. It appears as if some of the written text within your content are
    running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too?
    This may be a problem with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.

    Many thanks

    Reply

  18. Hello just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the
    images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
    I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.

    Reply

  19. Hey! I realize this is somewhat off-topic but I needed to ask.
    Does building a well-established website such as yours require
    a massive amount work? I am brand new to blogging
    however I do write in my journal on a daily basis. I’d like to
    start a blog so I will be able to share my personal experience and thoughts
    online. Please let me know if you have any recommendations or tips for brand new aspiring blog owners.

    Thankyou!

    Reply

  20. Pretty element of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to claim that I acquire actually loved
    account your weblog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing for your feeds and
    even I achievement you get right of entry to persistently fast.

    Reply

  22. scoliosis
    You made some good points there. I looked on the net to find out more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.

    scoliosis

    Reply

  23. Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog web
    site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

    Reply

  24. 657569 134563Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So nice to search out any person with some special thoughts on this topic. realy thank you for starting this up. this internet internet site is one thing thats necessary on the net, someone with a bit of originality. valuable job for bringing something new to the internet! 314803

    Reply

  25. 653597 843488I agree with most of your points, but a few require to be discussed further, I will hold a small speak with my partners and possibly I will appear for you some suggestion soon. 168534

    Reply

  26. Great gօods fгom you, man. I һave take not your stuff previous to and you’re simply too wonderful.
    I really like what үou have bought right here, ｃertainly
    like what yօu are stаting and the way through which youu are sаying it.
    You make it enjoyablе and you continue to take
    ϲare of to kkeep it wise. I cant wait to read far
    more from you. This is actuallʏ a wonderful web sitе.

    Reply

  28. I believe this is one of the so much significant
    info for me. And i’m satisfied studying your article.

    But should observation on some common things, The web site taste is ideal, the articles is actually nice :
    D. Just right task, cheers

    Reply

  41. Hi there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let
    you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly.
    I’m not sure why but I think its a linking
    issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show
    the same results.

    Feel free to surf to my homepage: Jolly CBD

    Reply

  42. Hi there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give
    a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading your articles.
    Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects?
    Thanks a ton!

    Feel free to surf to my webpage; Keto Vibe Pills

    Reply

  46. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all
    is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% positive.

    Any recommendations or advice would be greatly
    appreciated. Thanks

    Here is my web blog … http://www.kursivo.com

    Reply

  47. I have been browsing online greater than three hours these days,
    but I never discovered any interesting article like yours.
    It’s lovely worth sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content material as you did,
    the web will be much more helpful than ever before.

    Take a look at my website; http://www5c.biglobe.ne.jp/~mokada/cgi-bin/g_book.cgi/RK=0/RS=1by0RHONztb9ctDYS9y74ZVoZMM-/summary/g_book.cgi

    Reply

  53. You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the
    work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers
    such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe.

    All the time follow your heart.

    Check out my website … relevare.net

    Reply

  56. 974147 513622In case you have been injured as a result of a defective IVC Filter, you ought to contact an experienced attorney practicing in medical malpractice cases, specifically someone with experience in these lawsuits. 119093

    Reply

  57. Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related News

NFF introduces monthly awards for players and coaches

April 23, 2024 33

PDP founding member resigns over Partys’ inability to provide credible opposition against APC

April 23, 2024 3